Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-05-19
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
At Washington College During Week
Ending May Ia.
In East Tenn. the necessity of having
institutions Of learning on the ground
has existed to q degree perhaps un-
known in some other sections Of the
country. The reason for this necessity
may be found in her isolated position,
and in her poverty. Shut In BY noun
tains, she has received little by immigra-
ton, and her people as q class are not
able to send their sons and daughters to
the great institutions in other states.
The pioneer in this work of Education In
Tenn. and in all the Southwest was
Washington College.
This institution was founded more
than an hundred years ago by Rev. Sam
uel Doak, d. D.
He came to Tenn. when il was mostly
an unbroken wilderness and started a
school in the woods which finally devel.
oped into a college. For man. years he
and his associates labored in teaching
and preaching with u most abundant
success. Hundreds of young men went
out from the institution to fill honorable
and responsible stations in all the vari.
Gus callings and professions of men.
1t is pleasing to note that this venera
BILE college, so useful in past years, seems
to have received a new lease Of life. 1t
is now under the efficient management
of Rev. J.. W. G. Willoughby, who has
associated with him as assistants q mum
Der of excellent teachers, consecrated
christian men, enthusiastic in their work.
; The annual examinations began on Mon
day, May, 9th, and continued through
the week. On Tuesday evening the So
cities gave their joint entertainment.
i, On Wednesday evening was the tenth
anniversary of the business and musical
department. On Thursday was the Stu,
dents Exhibition, consisting of orations,
essays and Rotations, with music in
~terspersed. On Thursday evening came
the exercises of the Alumni Association.
The annual address was delivered by j.
!, r, Carson, Of the class Of 1886. who was
followed by others, the most notable of
whom was Hon, Zeb. B. Vance, Of North
Casolina, who attended Washington Col.
$. legs forty.four years ago, when but q
boy. On Friday morning a platform
was erected under the ancient trees of til,
grassy college campus, andsa congrega
ton, so large that only Gods first tempt,
could hold IT gathered Eohar the excel
n. lent addresses Of the graduating class
q The following was the programme:
Prayer, Rev. Alexander Doak
r. Latin salutatory, j. r. Mathes
Aspiration of the mind, Ii. A. Ferguson
81 slept, and dreamed that Life was
-, Beauty; | awoke and found that Life
y was Duty" Matte Lyon
p knowledge essential to the higest hap
o piness, J.. r. Mathes
Valeulct0ry, III "A. ferguson
IL Awarding Of diplomas, Senator Zeb.
/. B. Vance.
In the afternoon we listened with great
interest for moro than an hour to sena
n. tor Vance as he delivered an addres:
specially prepared for the occasion
n The speaker began by saying that wha'
ie knowledge he had acquired In the course
It. of his life pertained largely to politics
a, and that he could only give what he hat
j, in store. From his long and wide expe
rience and observation he pointed on
some of the dangers that menaccd tn
K. perpetuity of our Union, and gave hi
~ views as to the best way of averting o
!. overcoming these dangers. The addres
Dy contained much sound wisdom vel
worthy of the thoughtful consideration
of all.
Thus closed q week most memorabl
"! in the history Of this old College. TIL
attendance Of the people upon the va
rious exercises was very large, and i
II. the estimation Of all 1t was a red-lette
day for the college. The writer, havin,
cv been present at the closing exercises o
nv this institution in former years, can So
j. that, in his judgment, the examination
/" and all the public exercises were a grea
improvement on the past.
But We cannot close this article will
out referring to the pressing needs of thi
TX, college. 1t Is sadly in want Of additions
yer buildings. There Is not room for th
increasing number Of : students in th
I'd boarding hall, and the chapel and rccita
On, ton rooms are too small. The prcsiden
tie and professors are laboring on INSULT
en- cient salaries. Let me say to the Alum
d. nj, scattered all over the United States
or. do not forget old Washington College
I'M, and to all who may chance to read til
0x' article, who may be casting about for
.er. noble cause to which they may give IL
money which the lord has committed
axe their hands. let me say, there are fe
causes moro worthy or more needy ths
old Washington College.
,sa, g. A. DUNCAN.
Joncsboro, Tenn. May II, 1887.
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